Lolita’s Chance at Freedom!

After over 40 years, Lolita the orca finally has a chance at freedom! ALDF, PETA, Orca Network, and others petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect Lolita under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and it was announced today that a proposed rule would do just that! Protecting Lolita under the ESA is a crucial step forward in working to secure her release, so ALDF is celebrating this as a victory—join us!

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Today’s proposed rule makes the possibility of Lolita’s retirement to a seaside sanctuary tangible. Were she to be released, she would be able to live her life with dignity, in an environment that more closely resembles her natural environment. There’s even a possibility she could be reunited with her family!

But she’s not free yet! Please help us spread the news of this amazing victory by sharing it on social media. You can read more about this victory on our website, and make sure you are following us on Facebook and Twitter so that you get all the news about Lolita moving forward.

That would be a wonderful thing, get ALL of the profits back, until they start nickel and diming you, they’d most likely have it to where WE would owe them!! One point I did want to make on here. Does anyone know of any proposed lawsto help protect our sea life? I think there IS one, but I do realize that the big cruise-lines are NOT follwing these laws. It is a law that is supposed to make all cruise-ships, and vessels, to SLOW DOWN in the water! They are going far too fast, and multitudes of our precious sea life is being killed, just because they won’t slow down. Seems like a no-brainer, huh? Not for these big companies! IF they were to slow down, many, many lives would not be ended at the propellers of a boat, or by being hit by a ship. Slowing down would give our sea life a chance to hear, then react to the sound, thereby saving their own lives. Thanks very much! Lolita, your freedom is far over-due. No one can put a price on your happiness or freedom. God bless you, as you learn to enjoy your new-found freedom! <3

I just watched the movie documentary “Black Fish” and the horrific lives these majestic creatures are forced the endure after being captured and torn away from their families. It brought tears to my eyes. Seeing this article gives me hope… Is there anything we can do to add our voices to free her? Sign a petition? I already shared on my FB page.

No wild animal should be kept in captivity. What right have we to deprive these wonderful creatures of their liberty. Slavery was abolished after many years of struggle, let us all continue the fight to free all of God’s creatures.

Incarcerated for 40 years & forced to do tricks for her food! I can only imagine there is a special place in Hell for the creatures who ripped her away from her family and kept her imprisoned all this time. There is still time for redemption…FREE LOLITA!

I truly do hope that Loita will finally be freed. She has lived her life as a money maker. Enough is enough !!! Let her retire !!! It’s sad but I can remember being 5 years old seeing her perform :( I am now 30 … She was all alone then … Please have mercy for her

Not everyone has a good home to go to.
Orcas do, though.
What do we do?
We take them from their loving home to a no good home at all.
Lying to everyone.
Like Orcas sign up, swim to, and think up tricks for a swimming pool!
2014 let’s all get real.
Go Lola, Go!
Free unconditional, free love! In the Ocean!
Xo <3

For yrs I have been fighting on behalf of orcas living in inhumane conditions, suffering, performing unnatural tricks so SeaWorld and smaller attractions can profit. I played a major part in releasing Keiko, however the end result was very disappointing to me. Yes, he was sent to Oregon to recover and receive proper medical care for the injuries he sustained at the hands of those whose profits soared. But I was opposed to his return to the place he was captured (Norway) to find and reunite with his family. Shortly after he died and the HSUS buried him there in a place that he cannot be found. I’ve been fighting for Lolita too, and would bounce with joy for her to be released to a sanctuary not to where she was captured for concerns and fear that she, too, will die. 40 yrs, of suffering, those who reaped the benefits causing such misery and suffering, there is a God and what goes around, comes around.

Hi Elaine – I totally agree with your about Keiko. I visited him in OR and could tell he loved being around people. The reason his release didn’t work was because they released him without knowing where his family was. I think he died of a broke heart since orcas are social animals and he was all alone. Lolita’s situation is different, since they know her family is still alive, even her mother. The researchers follow them closely so she could be returned and reunited where she would have a really good chance of surviving.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking to learn Lolita has been living in such conditions for 40 years away from her family. The humane thing to do is to get her back with her family NOW. These animals should not be in captivity. They need the space provided in the oceans. Release her!!!!

Free Lolita, she deserves to be reunited with her family, justice must be seen to be blind to race, religion,age and species, if she is not blind she will be used as a weapon of terror, and today she is used as terror for all sentient beings held in captivity, it’s well past time that Lolita be free, she has truly earned it

Seaquarium and Seaworld must be shut down for good. These monsters who only care about their money are a bunch of heartless criminals and have to pay for what they have done to these beautiful animals and their families. SEAQUARIUM AND SEAWORLD ARE CRIMINALS.

This is great news!! We have to keep pushing forward to get Tokitae (“Lolita”) released at last. I am so grateful to ALDF, Peta, Orca Network & whoever else worked so hard & long to get this process to going. I know she’s not free yet but this is none the less a victory & one more step in the right direction.

Lolita has served her time. Have a little compassion and let her live out the rest of her days feeling the natural rhythm of the ocean where she was born and should have never been stolen in the first place. Please do what is right.

It is time to give her freedom back, she has served a 43 year sentence for a crime she didn’t commit.
Miami Seaqurium has made profits of over $160,000,000 release the cash cow today.
She is not living but surviving,because she has hope to be reunited with her family.

This would be a dream come true…When Lolita gets to be back with her family. The hands of humans have been so destructive when it comes to other sentient beings that we share this earth with. Now is the time to shift our energy and make things right. Run free Lolita we pray for your freedom.

Of course she should be set free. The only reason she was in captivity is for money to be made. I can watch these majestic animals on tv on special reports & shows that happen to capture them in their natural habitat. We don’t even keep some humans that do wrong in jail this long for crimes THEY actually committed. Free this animal…..finally.

Please free Lolita, it is the only humane & right thing to do! For that matter keeping orcas’ and dolphins in captivity for entertainment is awful, and all such captive mammals should now be given freedom or sanctuary…

with ONE…Lolita….there is hope for MANY!!!!!!…..This is their chance to leave hell forever!!!!!! Send up your prayers, good thoughts…whatever you can send…..Hang on Lolita……no one has FORGOTTEN you!!!!!!

This has got to stop. The human animal has gotten away with imprisoning and abusing his brother animals on this planet for far too long. There should be NO MORE Marine parks..NO MORE trained Dolphin shows..No more circus’s or rodeos. We no longer need to prove our dominance over our animals..we already proved we are stronger but we certainly are NOT SMARTER or we would have stopped this barbaric behavior long ago. FREE LOLITA!!

These animals are not ours to do with whatever we choose. They are majestic creatures that belong in the vast oceans swimming freely as God meant them to be. Keep your voices loud and ongoing for Lolita’s release. She belongs with her family as does every living being.

I fully support Lolita being retired & released into a seaside sanctuary in her home waters off Washington’s San Juan Island. She has lived in a tiny tank for over 40 years & has earned her freedom. She should have the opportunity to join her family if possible. Orca whales are incredibly flexible & I am sure she will adapt very well in her home waters.

The only reason this animal is in captivity is for them to make as much money they can. It doesn’t matter to them that this is not where she belongs. Just keep the bucks rolling in. The public should stop and think that if they boycott it will end
Kay

Please free Lolita, I cannot comprehend how could people can still be so unaware and cruel to a majestic intelligent creature . I live in Miami and the Seaquarium is the most outdated grimy establishment ,terrible !!

Lolita belongs in the ocean with other Orca’s and her natural atmosphere around her. These “SEAQUARIUMS” are unnatural and do not allow these Orca’s to live happy lives with their families and other sea creatures.The people that operate these places are cruel to do so and need to be stopped. A law to close these horrid prisons need to be enacted NOW.

Lolita still remembers the calls of her family…I am sure her mother would still remember her! Lolita’s mother must have been 40+ years old when Lolita was born – Lolita still has a chance to have a family of her own, with her own pod. I am sure Lolita will still remember the tricks she is doing now…maybe someday she will play by a boat, and give joy to someone, in HER territory…you never know. Dolphins are known to “play” – in the ocean, in the wild”….sick children get to swim with dolphins in the ocean, with special trainers….my point is, Lolita still remembers her family – mothers always remember their children…let her go home.

Yes!! I used to live in Miami and it always disturbed me to know Lolita was living in such a small tank. This beautiful creature deserves a brighter new future! She should be reunited with her family back in the sea. No wild animal should be kept in captivity.

Thank you PETA and all the organizations that have worked so hard to free Lolita. She deserves to be free and should have never been captured in the first place. She belongs in the wild with her family. Humans have no right to do the horrible things they do to animals, they have a right too. God bless Lolita and everyone that has worked so hard to free her.

I am always do happy in my heart and prayers that the defenseless has great support from others like myself to fight for this humane cause. The family will recognize her and I am so very happy for the result, the fight within all the ofganizations and people was worth it for this cause and of course many others like it!!!

Let her have her freedom please no wildlife ocean life need to captive in man’s cruel world of captivity allow her her freedom she has earned her freedom since she has endured so much at their hands of man

Halleluja! What a blessing if Lolita truly gets free. No sentient being should be in captivity. She has given her life for the entertainment of humans and lots of money-making for a corporation. Now, she deserves to live out the rest of her life in peace. This cannot happen soon enough.

After spending nearly a decade devoted to Lolitas cause, I am happy to say the people of Miami, and the world, are pleased to see people taking legal action against this evil law breaking captivity of Lolita the Killer Whale.

It would be amazing if Lolita was retired to a sea pen and then released when ready, she should at least have the opportunity of freedom I’m sure the years Keiko had back in the wild were better than dying in captivity. Orca and Dolphin should not be taken for captivity or entertainment, they have intelligence, feelings and strong family bonds that should not be destroyed for selfish reasons.

It looks like great things are happening! This near victory is coming from many years of many hardworking, dedicated and compassionate humans. Thank you all to being a part of this! Lolita and other captive marine life has a voice only because of those dedicated to pursue justice for them.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have worked hard toward this! Lets all do everything we can to give Lolita and others like her back the right to freedom while she still has time left!
Shame on Seaquarium.

Please protect these beautiful orca, Lolita, and return her to her home to her seapen waiting for her. Please do not let keiko’s story stop you, I believe his release was a success! I’m sure owners of slaves, thought they treated their slaves nice and provided food & shelter, but I’m sure if you had asked any 1 slave they would tell you that they would rather be freed for 1 day than live in the confines of a master (captivity). Please do the right thing and help stop captivity of wild captured orcas. I for one, as well as my children will never step foot in a marine park again, evolve please the rest of the public is awake! Thank you

She is alone & you must understand she deserves to be with others!! Her tank is WAY to small & she has done everything you’ve asked her to do!! Would you like it if you weren’t allowed to retire?? Help her get ready for the Ocean as you did for Keiko, help her & watch her like the rest of us while she being trained & set free!! You love her & she needs your help so help her!! enough is enough!! Change to become what you say you do!!!

It is cruel and unusual punishment to do this to any of God’s creatures! All animals, land, sea, or air, belong in their natural habitats! LEAVE THEM ALONE! Now, take Lolita to a very large sanctuary with other whales like her to live out her days!

Lolita has worked so hard over the past forty years, the least we could do is to let her retire with her family and live out the rest of her life in freedom and away from the public eye. Who are we to take a wild animal that holds so much grace, beauty and intelligence from her home and place her in a tank to use for our own entertainment. We need to do what is best for her and stop being such selfish beings. Free Lolita!

Please set LOLITA FREE. Allow her to know what freedom feels like..Let her explore her natural domain and if she were to die the following day, at least she had the chance to die in her natural environment, and she would have had the chance to hear the songs, and feel the waves of the seas…Only a criminal lives a life imprisoned and restricted for life until they die…She has done no wrong, so please release her…

PLEASE SET LOLITA FREE!!! No wild animal deserves to be in captivity. The wild is her home. None of God’s creatures deserves to be in captivity! i love Orcas and they deserve to be happy! Let her see her family again. We have no right to keep her. Set her free, Relaese her now, I was a member of the Free Willy Foundation for a year to help Keiko be free and release him back to the wild. I absolutely LOVE Orcas and i have drawn an Orca and got a tattoo of the drawing which i did. I am an artist.. LOVE YOU LOLITA

Please, FREE LOLITA! My husband and I saw her in person many, many years ago and her life is, well, anything but a life. She should be free w her family in the ocean LIVING! Not at the Miami Aquarium “entertaining” us. And certainly not under those conditions. Have you seen them? She’s in THE smallest, most filthy tank w no other Orcas around. It’s like solitary confinement. And she’s “lived” like that for 43 years. Can you imagine? It’s heart wrenching to even think about let alone live it. Well, you have the opportunity to right a wrong here. And now is the time to get it done while her family is still alive. Please, do the right thing! Free Lolita! I promise, you’ll sleep better at night. And so will she…

Hello sweet Lolita, It’s your time to be released, to go home .The fight has been a long, tough one but, you have the Lord with you. You are going home, you will find your family. When you do sweetie, give yourself a jump of victory and know we all love you.
Love you sweetie.

So many animals are held in captivity, abused, neglected, harmed, or just plain down right abandoned and it a horrible situation to anyone. Harm a child and everyone breaks your balls about it but an animal and surprisingly not a lot of people would care. But there also a lot of people that do care. And more people should care because it’s the right thing to do. Animals being mistreated are like children being mistreated but they can’t speak for themselves because they can’t speak any Language other than the sounds they make. They understand each other but we cannot understand them–we can only through movement and demeanor but we really can’t talk to an animal and have it respond unless it’s trained to do so.

Please free this animal. It is a magnificent creature and needs to be saved. It needs to have freedom. FREEDOM god damn it.

Great news ! Albeit she is not there yet, but with real hope, she may soon be ! Let’s continue to get the word out so maybe Lolita can retire in peace & around her mind, maybe even her family !
Thanks so much to you all !

Please let her go home I’m sure she remebers crying all night when she was young. I’m 34 and I still want my mommy every once in a while. And she does too she’s made them enough money it’s time now to take her home they owe her that!

I just returned from San Juan Island where I had the priviledge of seeing Lolita’s relatives swimming in the wild. I SAW HER FAMILY. In person. They were magnificent. J and L pods. I saw them breaching and swimming and living the lives they were mean to live. A tour on a whale watching boat cost me less than a ticket to a marine park, and the power of seeing the real deal was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

These animals are intelligent and second only to humans in terms of social complexity. The ONLY reason Lolita is being held in captivity is for the monetary benefit of the humans holding her. What wonderful PR it would be for the Miami Seaquarium to participate in this intelligent animal’s release! Plenty of opportunity for an ongoing killer whale exhibit, which could center on CONSERVATION instead of circus tricks.

I’m a conservative stay-at-home mom, not your average activist. I have been to Seaworld (regrettably).. I now see and understand why these animals need to be free! They are HUGE! Powerful! Majestic. I was humbled to see them in their world. So much better than seeing them in mine. Please, please send that beautiful creature home.